Throttle not returning

Walt

Joined
Nov 14, 2024
Messages
10
Age
61
Location
EX13 5XD
Bike
Honda ST1100
I'm rebuilding a ST1100 (2000 year model) and although the throttle cables seem good and are routed correctly, the throttle sticks and does not return. Everything at the carburetor end seems fine - the springs seem okay. The throttle is moving freely on the handle bar too.

So before I buy a new set of cables, has anyone experienced this and found the cause?
 
Possible the PO "oiled" the cables at some point, damaging the plastic coating in the process?
If throttle tube and bell-crank moving freely and unobstructed, it leaves the cables as culprit...
 
ST1100Y said:
Possible the PO "oiled" the cables at some point, damaging the plastic coating in the process?
If throttle tube and bell-crank moving freely and unobstructed, it leaves the cables as culprit...
Click to expand...
Ah so can oiling the cables cause a problem?
 
Walt said:
I'm rebuilding a ST1100 (2000 year model) and although the throttle cables seem good and are routed correctly, the throttle sticks and does not return. Everything at the carburetor end seems fine - the springs seem okay. The throttle is moving freely on the handle bar too.

So before I buy a new set of cables, has anyone experienced this and found the cause?
Click to expand...
Can you loosen the screw ever so slightly on the end of the throttle grip end? I was having that issue also (even when replacing the cable). I found out a 1/4 turn of that screw (just a tad) loosened the grip allowing return.
 
You might disconnect the cables from both ends and pull/push on them to see how restricted the movement is. Obviously, they should be silky smooth with very low friction. Pull the cable down and see if there is oil or grease on it.
 
SMSW said:
You might disconnect the cables from both ends and pull/push on them to see how restricted the movement is. Obviously, they should be silky smooth with very low friction. Pull the cable down and see if there is oil or grease on it.
Click to expand...
There is because I put oil down them! Don't tells anyone that
 
If one of the cable adjustments is tighter than the other, either on the open or close cable, it will cause the throttle to bind and not return freely.
 
Sometimes gunk gets under the plastic throttle sleeve and impacts the throttle sticking. Remove the bar weight and either try and blow it out with compressed air or spray WD40 between the bar and plastic sleeve. If you have heated grips, turning them up to full can also free it up.
 
bdalameda said:
If one of the cable adjustments is tighter than the other, either on the open or close cable, it will cause the throttle to bind and not return freely.
Click to expand...
That's really helpful I will check that.
 
kiltman said:
Sometimes gunk gets under the plastic throttle sleeve and impacts the throttle sticking. Remove the bar weight and either try and blow it out with compressed air or spray WD40 between the bar and plastic sleeve. If you have heated grips, turning them up to full can also free it up.
Click to expand...
Good idea will check that too. Thank you
 
The throttle grip flange that retains the throttle cables and holds the tube in to the switch housing can get gummed up with dried grease and cause it to bind. Cleaning the gunk off of the flange and out of the channel in the switch housing and reapplying some waterproof grease frees it up.
 
Walt said:
I'm rebuilding a ST1100 (2000 year model) and although the throttle cables seem good and are routed correctly, the throttle sticks and does not return.
Click to expand...
Will it immediately return to idle if you manually twist the throttle grip closed?
 
You might check that there is a gap (all the way around) between the front brake lever assembly and the throttle assembly on the handlebar.
 
Time to clutch a few straws....

Check that the rubber grip is not binding at either end.

If you have had the throttle off, make sure the plastic lip is seated correctly inside the switch gear halves. Make sure that there is some side to side play.

Check it has free play in both cables.

Unlatch the cable from the throttle (you have to unlatch the bottom end first) Reconnect bottom end and then pull the cable to accelerate from the top end. Does it snap back ?

Remember that there are two cables. One could be dragging and the other is ok.

Check the cable at the pulley end. Make sure the cable nipples are seated correctly and that the cable sits correctly in the groove. Make sure that nothing is interfering with free movement. It's been 17 years since I parted with my 1100 - but I seem to remember an issue with mine - the cable adjuster bracket had been bent and the cable was exiting at a slight angle so it was binding. Something like that. Take a good look. Note that if there is no free play that all that happens is that pulley assembly is pulled up towards the handlebars - which I guess is what happened to mine with a previous owner.
 
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